If you need new siding and are about to reach out to contractors to get estimates, it is essential to know what questions to ask to find the best fit for your needs. In this blog, we’ll outline vital questions to include in your conversation with contractors you’re considering.
From their number of years in business to their specialized training in siding installation, the contractor you choose will impact the long-term performance of your new siding and the installation experience from start to finish.
Let’s get started!
What to Ask Before Hiring a Siding Contractor
1. How long have you been in business?
This is a fundamental question that gives you a baseline of information to help you understand the amount of expertise the company has before you entrust your siding job to their crew.
2. Where are you located?
The contractor you hire must have a physical address. This ensures they are legitimate, and they will be there after your siding is installed should you need anything.
3. Are you licensed with the state?
This elementary question ensures that the siding contractor knows your local and state building codes, which is vital for siding installation. If the contractor is not licensed and you hire them anyway, when legal issues come up, they will fall on you rather than the contractor.
4. May I see proof of your insurance?
The contractor you hire should have both general liability and workers’ compensation insurance. Why? Because the insurance releases you from liability. If an accident happens on your property, their insurance covers the situation. If the contractor does not have insurance, any accident would be your responsibility—putting your finances at risk.
5. Are there recent projects I can see?
Viewing siding installations the contractor recently completed will tell you a lot about their work and give you a good idea of what you can expect if you hire them.
6. May I contact a few of your previous clients?
Ask for up to three referrals and contact them to learn how satisfied they are with the finished product. Ask how the siding installation experience was for them and how any issues that they may have had along the way were handled and resolved.
7. Which siding materials are you most experienced in installing?
Contractors usually specialize in the installation of particular siding materials. Find out how experienced they are in the siding material you desire to have installed on your home. For example, to benefit from the 30-year warranty on James Hardie fiber cement siding installation, you need to use a contractor trained by the Hardie company to install it.
8. Which siding materials do you recommend and why?
Ask the contractor about the pros and cons of the siding materials they recommend for your home and climate. Minnesota winters are harsh, and the siding material you choose needs to stand up to the extreme temperatures and snow without allowing moisture (or the chill of winter!) to penetrate your home.
9. What is your company’s process for solving a customer grievance?
Check with the contractor before hiring them so you know how things are handled should you need to know. Look at the Better Business Bureau (BBB) for more information, and read online reviews to give you a good picture of this area.
10. What type of visualizer tools do you have to help me envision my options?
Siding styles vary, and the selection of color options for siding can feel overwhelming. Ask the contractor about online color and style visualizer tools to help you “try colors and styles” on your house from the comfort of your home. A showroom is also a great place to see and touch the products you are considering.
11. How can my home’s insulation be increased to maximize its energy efficiency?
Siding materials have an “R-value,” or the ability to help insulate your home. Several siding materials also have the option to boost the insulation they provide. Ask that the options be reflected in your estimate.
Get a Trusted Twin Cities Siding Contractor
At Beissel Window & Siding, we’ve served thousands of homeowners across St. Paul and Minneapolis for over 70 years. We stay current on industry standards and manufacturer guidelines to protect your warranties so you can rest in the fact that your investment is well-protected. Come visit our showroom in West St. Paul to see samples of multiple siding materials.
Thinking about replacing your home’s siding? Check out our guide to replacing your home’s siding.
Learn more about our siding services.
